Marshfield, Rapids police want body-cams

Police departments across the country are launching pilot programs to explore providing body cameras to departments. The Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids police departments, as well as Wood County Sheriff's Department, say they're considering the cameras, but the cost is prohibitive.(Photo: File/AP)

MARSHFIELD - Police are hoping to get body cameras as a way to protect both officers and the public, but the cost of the devices will keep it from happening in 2016.

The Marshfield Police Department had money for body cameras in the 2016 budget, but the department had to make cuts and removed the cameras, Police Chief Rick Gramza said. Body cameras for officers can range from $200 to $1,200 each, depending on the type of camera and the features, Gramza said. The department has about 40 officers.

Body cameras are useful tools for gathering evidence, Gramza said.

"As far back as law enforcement goes, it's always been the officers word was enough to hold up in court," Gramza said. "With changing times, that's not always good enough now."

The department is studying its options for body cameras and funding, Gramza said. The Wood County Sheriff's Department also has considered body cameras, but as in Marshfield, it comes down to cost, Capt. Shawn Becker said.

The county has cameras in all of its squad cars and officers carry microphones for the systems on their uniforms, Becker said. Deputies use the cameras for all traffic stops and complaints. Though the camera doesn't always capture everything, the deputies always have audio recordings to document events, Becker said.

The cameras can help save officers time, Gramza said. When a person makes a complaint against an officer, the internal investigation can be time consuming for the officers doing the investigation and stressful for the officer who is the subject of an infraction, Gramza said.

"We can save time once a citizen is aware their contact with an officer can be recorded," Gramza said.

If the Marshfield Police Department does get body cameras, the department will spend time creating official policies for using them, Gramza said. The policies would address concerns about privacy. The Marshfield department will turn to what departments already using the cameras have done, Gramza said.

"Thankfully, we're not the trailblazer in this situation," Gramza said. "There is probably hundreds of law enforcement agencies that have police and cameras in place."

You can contact reporter Karen Madden at 715-423-7200, ext. 4729, karen.madden@gannettwisconsin.com or follow her on Twitter @KMadden715